The analysis of 183 responses to a survey of former anesthesiology residents of the Medical College of Wisconsin found that 29 had been self-administered problematic substance abusers during their residencies, 23 had been alcohol dependent, and 6 had been drug dependent. More than 85 percent of respondents considered the drug policy information…

The usefulness of the Glaxo Pathway Evaluation Program, a program of workshops to help medical students choose specialties, was evaluated in a survey of 237 participating seniors. Students found the program moderately useful. The researchers found the program a useful, comprehensive, and reasonably objective tool. Long-term effects were not…

A survey of 101 medical schools in the United States and Canada found most had a centralized evaluation system for course and curriculum evaluation, and over half used oversight committees. Beyond the almost universal use of questionnaires, course evaluation practices varied widely, comprising different combinations of evaluation technique and…

Administration of the Derogatis Stress Profile to 509 medical students, 380 law students, and 215 graduate students at McGill University (Ontario) revealed that medical students are not greatly stressed relative to other groups, so other explanations must be sought for elevated levels of depression in some. One clear stressor found is the…

The National Caucus of Biomedical Science Chairs administered a 35-item questionnaire concerning department downsizing to medical school basic science department heads (n=400). Results indicate significant loss of faculty positions in one-third of the schools, with a 10% overall reduction from 1985-95. Department restructuring, with merging of…

A survey of 129 pediatrics residency directors found strong agreement in support of 7 roles of the general and ambulatory-care pediatrician: ascertain and document health status and risk factors; perform intervention and technical procedures; communicate effectively; supervise patients and support personnel; demonstrate appropriate interpersonal…

The nutrition education that most medical students receive is inadequate in quantity and quality, according to the National Research Council, which conducted a study of nutrition education in medical schools. Faculty members judged competencies that should be included in medical school curricula. (Author/MLW)

The authors surveyed 49 U.S. fellowship programs in family medicine. Although foreign physicians are encouraged by the American Academy of Family Practice to come to the United States, this study shows that it is extremely difficult for these physicians to find programs willing to act as host. (Author/MLW)

A telephone survey of 300 physicians investigated their attitudes toward 16 competencies deemed essential to effective practice of medicine in the changing health-care system. Physicians validated the traditional strengths of medical schools but suggested curricular weaknesses in the teaching of competencies important for functioning in the…

A survey of 61 teaching hospitals concerning mechanisms for clinical evaluation found about a third had clinical evaluation units, primarily supported by hospital administrations rather than medical school deans. Eighteen respondents had clinical evaluation activities integrated into the medical staff hierarchy and dispersed throughout departments…

A national survey of 69 teaching hospitals (principally affiliated community teaching hospitals) found much variation in direct graduate medical education pass-through costs, supported by Medicare. Analysis suggested variations may be a result of the faculty expenses component, economies of scale, and the contribution of volunteers. Tables and…

A survey of 200 medical students questioned 2 years apart investigated their willingness to treat Human immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected patients. Overall, the students became more restrictive in their attitudes toward these patients, felt less personal obligation for their care, and were less likely to use infection-control methods to ensure…

As part of planning for implementation of computer-administered medical board examinations, a telephone survey of 143 accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada found that most have at least 1 computer for every 20 students, though nearly one-third of the schools make very few microcomputers available. Computer types used varied,…

A survey of 12 constituencies (totaling 2,288 respondents) concerning the National Board of Medical Examiners' (NBME) comprehensive Part I and Part II examinations revealed support for more even distribution of fail rates across examinations, support for a fixed standard, and favorable reaction to setting standards based on review of examination…

Six personal statements of interest in a residency, each from a different type of fictitious candidate, were randomly selected for mailing to 2,478 board-certified Ohio physicians practicing in 6 specialties in which women are underrepresented and 3,586 physicians in specialties in which women are overrepresented. Physicians consistently rated…